Jason Hammel gets the start today for the Cubs, looking to build up the pitch count – and maybe notch a hit from the 8-hole. Yes, Joe Maddon has pulled the trigger on the pitcher batting eighth … at least for today, a Spring Training game. We’ll see if it becomes a regular thing when the season rolls around.
Today’s game is being televised on CSN, or, if you don’t get CSN, you can watch on MLB.tv.
The Cubs lineup:
- Dexter Fowler, CF
- Chris Coghlan, LF
- Jorge Soler, RF
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Miguel Montero, C
- Javier Baez, SS
- Mike Olt, 3B
- Jason Hammel, P
- Arismendy Alcantara, 2B
Aside from the pitch spot, it’s interesting to see Soler at three and Rizzo at four (effectively where they were yesterday when you account for Baez leading off, but not really leading off). Baez fills in at short for Starlin Castro, but gets bumped back down in the order. Not sure if that means yesterday’s lead-off attempt worked, didn’t work, or went as expected for a one-time thing.